Thousands donate to give West ISD a new FFA buidling

West, TX — The April fertilizer blast in West not only destroyed the district's Intermediate School and countless surrounding buildings, but it also leveled the West ISD's welding and agriculture shop used by the district's FFA program.

A new, temporary one was dedicated to them on Tuesday.

“It was a big building where we all laughed and cracked jokes and just had a blast in," said Hannah Schneider.

But the building where 17-year old West High School student Hannah Schneider spent hours each day after school was destroyed by the fertilizer explosion.

Schneider said, "The classroom's insulation was falling out. There were no windows left, or anything really. When I realized everything was gone, it really set in. I cried for a couple of days.”

Schneider is now Vice President of her school's FFA program. On Tuesday, she led the invocation at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the unveiling and dedication of the new FFA shop; Where hundreds of kids will be working hands on to learn the ins and outs of the agriculture business.

The building is all thanks to a handful of companies and organizations around the state. And according to the Executive Director of the Texas FFA Association- Tom Maynard- kids just like Schneider.

“As I look around here and see a lot of blue and gold jackets, they are just a representation of the thousands and thousands of FFA members and students across the state of Texas that held car washes and did dinners and went out to take collections and donations to make this day possible," said Maynard.

Schneider appreciates the efforts of fellow members.

“It’s heartwarming," said Schneider. "It’s a blessing and we're just thankful for it."

"I was out of town one time and had a West t-shirt on. An FFA member walked up to me and asked how we’re doing. It’s just heartwarming knowing that there’s other people out there that recognize you and always care.”